Michigan State LB Jordan Turner ejected for targeting vs. Michigan, will miss 1st half vs. Indiana

Michigan State linebacker Jordan Turner was ejected for targeting in the 2nd half of a rivalry matchup against Michigan on Saturday night. Turner will miss the first half of the Spartan’s next game, because the ejection was in the 2nd half.

Turner’s targeting came on the final play of the third quarter, as he lowered his helmet and was determined to hit the helmet of Michigan quarterback Alex Orji on a keeper. The review occurred during the commercial break between the third and fourth quarters.

Turner, along with being a main playmaker at the linebacker position for the Spartans, is also a captain on the defense.

Things escalated shortly after a 24-17 Michigan win

The game had been won and the Paul Bunyan Trophy was going to be staying in Ann Arbor following a 24-17 win for Michigan over in-state rival Michigan State. But as is so often the case in this local grudge match, the final score did not mean things were necessarily settled.

So after Michigan took a final knee to run down the clock, Wolverines tight end Colston Loveland and Spartans defensive lineman Anthony Jones were jawing and exchanging some shoves. Then Loveland stepped close and Jones grabbed him by both sides of his helmet, apparently trying to throw him to the ground.

From there, a brief scuffle at midfield ensued, and Loveland shared his perspective on what happened shortly after on Big Ten Network.

“Little bro stay doing little bro things, you know?” Loveland said. “So MSU’s the little bro, they can do whatever they want. We knew it was going to get chippy. But everything within the confines of the game we do right and then after they want to get busy, we’ll get busy.”

His head coach, Sherrone Moore, struck a much more stern tone, displeased with his team for letting the situation spill over after what had been a rather clean game with respect to extracurricculurs and the like.

“That’s not what Michigan football is all about,” Moore said on BTN postgame. “That’s not how we represent our program and this university. That’s uncalled for. That will be dealt with and handled. But that’s very disappointing that our football team was a part of that.”